ENDANGERED SPECIES

Noah's Ark is a painting by Mia Tavonatti

ENDANGERED SPECIES AND CHRISTIAN FAITH​

When God called on Noah to protect all creatures, Noah had no choice which creatures to load on board. All of creation belongs to God, and Noah was merely caretaker. Like Noah, we have a moral responsibility to safeguard God's creatures from irreparable harm from the dangers they face today.

MAY 17: ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

First approved by the U.S. Senate in 2006, the purpose of Endangered Species Day is to expand awareness of the importance of protecting endangered species, to promote habitat conservation, to share success stories of species recovery, and to highlight the everyday actions people can take.

On May 17 and throughout May, churches, conservation organizations, schools, zoos and aquariums, parks, wildlife refuges, botanic gardens, and other groups throughout the country will participate in events and activities to celebrate this national day of recognition.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:CARE FOR GOD'S CREATURES

DEFEND THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

This resource equips Christians to pray, learn, teach, and preach about care for God's creatures. It covers topics such as dominion theology, biomimicry and ecosystem services. It also includes action ideas such as planning a Bio Blitz. Download it.

In the United States, the Endangered Species Act has served as the “Noah’s ark” of our time, ensuring protection for creatures in peril. The ark in the Genesis flood narrative is how, God “remembers” (i.e., holds, keeps, protects, cares for) “all the wild animals and all the domestic animals” (Gen. 8:1). Today, we are called to be mindful of all creatures, and to take stock of their presence. The Endangered Species Act has a long track record of success. More than 95% of species that have been listed as endangered made a recovery.